Charges listed against Chico armed robbery suspect

CHICO — Two clerks wrestled a gun from a man who police suspect in at least two robberies at about 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Sierra Market & Liquor.

Douglas Friedrich, 63, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of armed robbery and possession of a loaded firearm during the commission of a felony after police arrived to find the man subdued on the ground.

Store clerk Dennis Nieto, of Chico, was heading to the storage area of the shop when he saw a man come quickly around the corner wearing a surgical mask.

The masked man gave the clerk working behind the register a note that demanded money and showed him a handgun, Nieto said.

When the man lowered the handgun, register clerk Mike Mawas pushed him away and Nieto held him against the ice cream machine while they disarmed him, Nieto said.

Officers arrived to find Mawas and Nieto holding Friedrich down on the ground, said Lt. Linda Dye of Chico Police.

Police also suspect Friedrich in an armed robbery at the Circle K 76 Station on Park Avenue on Friday and a Shell gas station in Oroville on Thursday, said Chico Police Sgt. Billy Aldridge.